The Webelos Scout program is for boys who have completed third grade or are age 10 but have not yet completed fifth grade or reached age 11 1/2. Pronounced "WEE-buh-los", the word "Webelos" means WE'll BE LOyal Scouts. After earning the Bobcat badge, a boy may earn the Webelos badge by completing requirements lised below.

Webelos Program

The Webelos Scouts program is filled with activities and outdoor fun for boys in the fourth or fifth grade. Everything in the Webelos Scout program is more challenging than the things the younger boys in the pack do. Webelos Scouts are still Cub Scouts who take part in Cub Scout pack meetings, events, and outings. But the Webelos den also makes its own plans and enjoys many activities that the younger Cub Scouts don't get to do.

Instead of working on achievements and electives as other boys in Cub Scouting do, Webelos Scouts work on activity badges and the Arrow of Light Award, which is a bridge to Boy Scouting.

Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program

Earning Loops and Pins multiple times

"Many Webelos Scouts may earn belt loops and pins a second time to qualify for Webelos Activity Badges. All boys may earn belt loops more than once; however, leaders should encourage boys to try different requirements and earn the pin. Packs should have a clear policy in place to determine whether the pack or the boy's family will be responsible for the cost of awards that are earned more than once."

Other awards available to Webelos Scouts

In addition to the Cub Scout Ranks and electives, Cub Scouts may earn dozens of additional awards that exapnd upon the basic rank requriements. In addition, Cub Scouts may earn Honor awards to recognize outstanding good deeds.

The Outdoor Activity Award may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts. Boys may earn the award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year.

The Conservation Good Turn Award is an opportunity for Scout units to join with conservation or environmental organizations (federal, state, local, or private) to carry out a conservation Good Turn in their home communities. Working together in the local community, the unit and the agency plan the details and establish the date, time and location for carrying out the project. It may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

The Donor Awareness Patch is worn on the right pocket of the uniform as a temporary emblem. BSA has reduced their emphasis on this program, but has not discontinued it completely. This award may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

The Emergency Preparedness Award has different requirements for Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and adults tailored for the abilities of each.

Interpreter Strip. Boys and adults may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of a foreign language or the sign language for the hearing impaired. This award may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

The National Summertime Award encourage packs to provide a year-round program by continuing to meet during the time periods when school is out of session for several weeks or months. Cub Scouts earn this pin by participating in three summertime pack events (one each in June, July, and August). This award may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

The National Den Award recognizes dens that conduct a quality, year-round program. Service projects, field trips, character development, and Cub Scout camping are areas that are emphasized. Dens earn the award as a team, not as individual den members. The recognition is a ribbon for the den flag or den doodle. All Cub Scouts (Tigers through Webelos) may earn this.

The BSA's STEM/NOVA Awards program is designed to introduce and encourage further study of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers. A Scout may earn all four Nova awards. The Supernova awards are designed to inspire further study. It is recommended that you complete at least two Nova awards before starting the requirements for the Supernova award. This award may be earned by all registered Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

The Recruiter Strip is awarded to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and is worn below the right pocket on the uniform. This award may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

Religious Emblems, cloth, silver knot on purple, No. 05007, may be worn by youth or adult members who earned the knot as a youth member, above left pocket. Each faith has its own requirements for earning its emblem. A knot device may be used to indicate during which level of Scouting the award was earned. This award may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

The Hornaday Unit Award may be earned by a Cub Scouting pack, Boy Scouting troop, Varsity Scouting team, Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship that plans and carries out at least one conservation project. This award may be earned by all registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.

The BSA Family Award program helps families accomplish worthy goals while building and strengthening relationships among family members. All family members are encouraged to participate and may earn the award.

Honor Awards

Medal of Merit, cloth, gold and blue on tan, blue to right, No. 05025. The Medal of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed some outstanding act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.

Honor Medal, cloth, red knot on tan, No. 05010. The Honor Medal may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk to self.

James E West Fellowship Award, cloth, green and gold knot on tan, No. 05026, Scout or Scouter. For a donation of $1,000 or more to a council endowment. This award may be presented to a registered Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scout.

Adult awards

Additionally, there are many "square knots" that adults can earn, which are summarized at Scouter leadership awards. Some of the more common include:

Scouter's Key, cloth, green and white knot on tan, green to right, No. 05006, above left pocket. Recognizes certain leaders for completing at least three years of service, training, and quality program objectives. Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Coaches and Advisors may earn the Scouter’s Key Award and may wear the Scouter’s Key knot with an appropriate device.

Adult Religious award, cloth, purple knot on silver, No. 05014, may be worn by adult members presented with the recognition, above left pocket. Adults may wear both knots if they satisfy qualifying criteria. Presented for faithful service while an adult leader.

Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award Recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Asian American youth.

¡Scouting ... Vale la pena! Service Award Recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic American/Latino youth.

William T. Hornaday awards, cloth, blue, green, and white knot on tan. It recognizes unusual and distinguished service in natural resource conservation and environmental improvement at the regional, national, or international level.

History of the Webelos Program

In the spring of 1954, the Webelos Den was created for 10½ year olds who had earned the Lion Rank. It was thought that this would keep the interest of the older boys and smooth the transition into Boy Scouts. They utilized the newly published Lion-Webelos handbook.

In 1967, the Lion rank was eliminated and was replaced with the Webelos rank, which retained the "Arrow of Light"-style badge design of the former Webelos Award and consisted of a new set of achievements and experiences to better prepare older boys for Boy Scouting. The Webelos colors and activity badges were also introduced at this time, originally numbering 15. Between 1967 and 1972, the Cub Scout uniform only displayed two diamond shaped patches, Wolf and Bear, side by side, with the Webelos rank badge on the pocket flap.

In late 1971 or early 1972, the old Webelos rank badge was slightly altered and was renamed to the Arrow of Light, with a significant change in the requirements. In 1977, a new diamond-shaped Webelos rank badge was introduced.

When the grade-based rank system was phased in in 1986, the age for beginning Tiger Cubs was lowered to First grade, and Webelos Scouts became a two year program aimed at 4th and 5th graders. Five new activity badges were added to the Webelos Scout Book in 1987, and the two-year Webelos Scout program became official in 1988.

In 2001, the current oval Webelos rank badge was introduced. This badge may be worn either on the blue uniform in place of the rank badge diamond, or on the tan uniform like a Boy Scout rank badge.